Helen
Equal-to-the-Apostles
Commemorated May 21
The holy and right-believing Empress Helen (also Helena and Elena ), Equal to the Apostles (c. 248 – c. 329), was the mother of Emperor Saint Constantine the Great . Her feast day is on May 21 , together with her son.
Troparion
Beholding the image of Thy Cross in the sky,
and like Paul receiving a call not from men,
Thine apostle among kings placed the imperial city in Thy hands, O Lord.
Do Thou save it ever in peace, through the supplications of the Theotokos,
O Thou Who alone lovest mankind.
Kontakion
Today Constantine and his mother Helena
reveal the Cross, the most precious Tree, which putteth to shame all the Jews
and is the weapon of faithful kings against the adversary,
For our sake hath the great standard appeared,
terrible in battle.